Articans

People who participate in Artica. They may participate in creating art, help run the show or just enjoy the spirit. Above, founder Hap Phillips. Below, artists at work, artists at leisure, and friends and family. I'll show you what the clown did with a chainsaw later in the week.     

Who Are These People?

I have no idea. We could ask Hap, or maybe check their FBI dossiers.                                   

The Mural

There is a project underway to turn the east face of the Cotton Belt Terminal Building into a gigantic mural, easily visible from the new I 70 bridge across the Mississippi. The web page for the project has a remarkable illustration of what it will look like when completed (click it to enlarge).

Design of the project is by Nita Turnage and Hap Phillips. It take a lot of paint to cover those walls. Locals, if you would like to contribute to the effort click here. 

The bottom picture shows part of the festival entrance gait. It literally has a crossbar with a counterweight to raise it. You could walk right around it but that would violate the spirit of the day.              

Artica

This is the weekend for Artica, STL's free-form, alternative and genuinely wacky arts festival. It takes place around the abandoned Cotton Belt Building in the old industrial wasteland north of the Arch.

It starts with an anything-goes parade to the river. Participants are encouraged to send flowers or biodegradable boats down the Mississippi, carrying their hopes, prayers or regrets. Impresario and organizer Hap Phillips leads the march in the top picture.